Okay, I know everyone hates T Bone. And trust me I hate him too but I felt his story wasn't completely done with so I brought him back. Don't worry. He will not get in the way of Ruthie and Martin's relationship. Also, I'm sorry if I don't have more marthie in the story but the story is supposed to be about Ruthie and her entire life. I didn't want to make the entire story fluff where Martin was the center of her life. That's just not how a real relationship should be like. One more thing, I realize I made a mistake a few weeks ago in the author's note. The final chapter will be next Saturday not May 1.

Chapter 21: April Showers

Ruthie slowly walked down the aisle. Martin stood in front smiling at her. She arrived at the altar grinning at her husband-to-be.

"If anyone has any just cause for these two to not wed, let them speak now or forever hold their peace." Eric announced.

"Don't marry him!" T Bone jumped up from the crowd and emerged to the altar.

"What are you doing here?" Ruthie said confused.

"I invited him." Annie said. "You belong together. Guys, get Martin out of here."

Two big guys came out of nowhere and dragged Martin out.

"Martin!" Ruthie cried.

T Bone took Martin's place.

"Dad?"

"What?" Eric was oblivious.

"Aren't you going to do anything?" She stomped her foot.

"Oh yeah." Eric seemed to catch on. "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today…"

Ruthie's eyes flung open. She blinked her vision into focus. She was greeted by Sam's face staring at her.

"Sam, what are you doing?" She sat up running her hands through her hair. What a dream.

"Guess who's down stairs." Sam said jumping on the other bed.

Ruthie rolled her eyes. "I don't know. T Bone." She laughed at the insanity of that idea.

Sam frowned. "How'd you know?"

Ruthie's eyes bulged out. "What?" She jumped out of the bed. "T Bone's here. In this house? At eight o'clock in the morning?"



Sam just sat there. "Yep."

Ruthie started pacing. "Why is he here?"

"I think he was invited to Sandy's wedding."

"And of course Mom just had to invite him to stay here." Ruthie raised her hands in frustration. "Where are they now?"

Sam shrugged. "I think Mom's serving him breakfast."

Ruthie stopped pacing. "Okay, good. I have to get dressed so could you leave, please."

Sam looked disappointed but nevertheless got up to leave.

Ruthie called him back for a second. "Oh and if mom asks where I am, you don't know."

Sam gave her a thumbs up.

Ruthie smiled once he was gone. "I love that kid."

Martin could hear his father talking to someone in the kitchen. He wondered who could be here so early as he walked toward the kitchen entrance.

"Good morning, sunshine!" Ruthie noticed Martin at the doorway staring at her confused as she put a plate of pancakes in front of his Dad.

"What are you doing here?" Martin slowly walked further into the room.

"What I'm not welcome at your house anymore." She walked over the oven.

"You know you're welcome. But you've never come here this early especially when it's pouring down rain outside."

"Stop questioning the girl and just enjoy the wonderful breakfast she's made for us." Beau pointed to the seat across from him.

Martin obeyed and sat down.

"Exactly." Ruthie walked over to the table with two plates of pancakes in hand. "You should be grateful." She gave Martin his plate and sat down.

Martin took a bite. "Okay. Now I'm grateful. These are delicious." He bent over and gave her a quick peck. "Thanks."

Ruthie smiled. "You're welcome."



They ate for the next few minutes not bothering with conversation.

Ruthie was the first to break the silence. "Since we don't seem to have anything else to talk about, why don't I tell you why I'm over here this rainy morning?"

"Why?" Martin asked between bites.

Ruthie leaned her chin on her hand. "Guess who's staying at our house for Sandy's wedding."

Martin's eyes rose slowly to meet Ruthie's. He could tell by the sound in her voice exactly who it was. "T Bone."

Ruthie nodded.

"Let me guess your mom invited him."

Ruthie nodded again.

"I don't agree with all that your mom has been doing lately. I tried to explain to her that it was my fault that the spare tire was missing but she didn't listen. So I think T Bone showing up is the least of your problems." Beau had to enter in his two cents.

"But she's just going to try and get me back together with him." Ruthie insisted.

"But she doesn't have to succeed." Beau added. "If I were you, I wouldn't say a word to your mother about it. Just be polite and friendly but make it clear in a subtle way that you have no intention of breaking up with Martin."

Ruthie smirked. "You know that's a pretty good idea. It's a kind of a kill them with kindness type of approach. I like it."

"Uh, thanks." Beau said hesitantly because that wasn't entirely what he meant.

Ruthie quickly got out of her raincoat and hung it in the coat rack. After pulling her rain boots off, she headed into the living room. She found T Bone and Jane sitting on the couch.

"Hey!" Ruthie spoke up.

Jane turned her body and her face dropped when she saw Ruthie. T Bone had the opposite reaction. His face lit up.

"It's so good to see you T Bone." Ruthie walked over and gave him a hug after he quickly stood up.

"It's good to see you too." T Bone returned the hug happily while Jane sat there annoyed.

"Your mom's been looking for you?" Jane interrupted. "Where have you been in this rain?"



"Oh, I was over at Martin's." Ruthie smiled taking a seat in the arm chair.

"Martin's?" T Bone frowned sitting back down. "I thought your mom said you two broke up."

Ruthie shook her head. "No. We're still together. So tell me, what is it like living with your Dad?"

T Bone didn't have time to respond when Sandy came rushing in soaking wet. "Do any of you know where Lucy is?"

"Uh, I think she and Kevin are running some errands. Are you okay?" Ruthie couldn't help but be concerned at Sandy's appearance.

"No. I'm not alright." Sandy started to pace. "Everything was perfect. Every detail was worked out and then of course my mom and step-father have to make a complete about face and decide to come."

"They're coming to the wedding?!" Ruthie was surprised.

"Yes!" Sandy expelled.

"And why is this bad thing?" T Bone asked clueless.

Jane slapped him in the shoulder. "Don't you know anything?"

"Oww." T Bone let out. "Sorry if I don't know every detail in Sandy's life."

"You'd probably know more about it if you hadn't spent all your time sucking face with Ruthie when you lived here." Jane retorted.

Ruthie's mouth gaped open. "Uh, Sandy how about we go up to my room. We can talk until Lucy gets home."

"Sounds good." Sandy said following Ruthie out the door. "Oh, it's good to see you T Bone." She turned back for a second.

T Bone hit Jane on the arm when the left.

"Oww. What was that for?" Jane complained.

"For making me look bad in front of Ruthie."

Jane rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. You and Ruthie are done. She's with Martin. Deal with it."

T Bone smirked. "We'll see about that."

"Dad?" Martin knocked on the doorframe of his father's room. "Can I talk to you?"

"Sure." Beau said adjusting his tie in the mirror. "What's up."



"I'm not sure." Martin sighed sitting down on the bed.

"Is this about Sandy getting married" Beau asked. "I thought you were happy about it."

"I am. It's not about Sandy." Martin said quickly. "It's Ruthie."

Beau looked confused. "Everything seemed great between you two yesterday morning at breakfast."

"It is great. It's just that when Ruthie and I got together, she made it clear she just wanted to take it slow and not think about the future."

Beau nodded. "But now, you are thinking about the future and are not sure whether to tell Ruthie."

"Exactly. I just don't know how to communicate to her that I do see myself married to her." Martin ran his hand through his hand.

Beau sat down next to his son. "I know you want to proclaim your love to her and all but I think the best thing to do is to do something that will remind her of how much you love her and are devoted to your relationship. The moment you start talking about marriage at your age, you put too much pressure on your relationship to stay together."

Martin smiled. "Thanks, Dad." He gave his Dad a hug.

"But hey, I'm still allowed to be planning your wedding, right?" Beau asked teasing.

Martin chuckled. "Sure, Dad. Do whatever you want."

Ruthie adjusted her earring as she walked into the upstairs hallway from her room. T Bone came out of his room at the same moment.

"Well, this reminds of that time we showed each other our tattoos." T Bone laughed.

Ruthie smiled while holding in her eye roll. "Yeah. We were so stupid back then."

T Bone frowned. "We'll the tattoo thing was stupid but not our relationship."

Ruthie felt bad. "I meant the tattoos." But it was the relationship she thought was stupid but no need to hurt T Bone any more.

T Bone seemed to accept her answer. "So is Martin coming to the rehearsal?"

"Of course."

T Bone breathed in. "You know I still don't believe he deserves you. You deserve someone that can love you faithfully…like me."



Ruthie pressed in lips together trying to hold in her anger. "T Bone, please just let it go. You can't go through life holding on to someone that is never going to love you back." She brushed past him toward the stairs but turned for a second. "And you don't even know Martin. He loves me and I trust him completely." She felt good being able to say that believe it.

"I think that went well." Ruthie commented handing Sandy her purse as the group go ready to leave the rehearsal.

Sandy sighed. "Yeah."

"Are you still nervous about your mom and stepfather coming?"

"Am I that transparent?" Sandy folded her jacket over her arm.

Ruthie smirked. "Yeah."

Sandy just rolled her eyes and they started walking toward the church doors. "Oh, hey. Can you do me a huge favor?"

Ruthie shrugged. "Sure."

"Can you run to the florists and pick up the centerpiece I ordered yesterday. I needed to add an extra table after two more guests were added. I would do it but I really should help your mom with the dinner."

Ruthie smiled. "Sure. No problem."

"Thanks." Sandy squeezed Ruthie's arm before headed forward to catch up with Jonathan.

"Ready to go?" Martin came up from behind.

Ruthie turned. "Sandy wants me to run an errand for her so can I borrow your car? You can go back to the house with Sandy and Jonathan."

"Why don't I just go with you?" Martin suggested.

"Because I want you to take advantage of the one time you are being allowed to be in our house." Ruthie explained. "Maybe having me not around will encourage you more to make amends with my mother."

"Fine." Martin said reluctantly. "Just be careful in this rain." He handed her the keys.

Ruthie smiled gripping the keys. "I will."



"Sandy, where did you tell Ruthie to go again?" Annie asked walking into the living room where the guests were congregated.

"Just to the florists." Sandy replied glancing over at the clock.

"She should be home by now." Martin said from the window which he kept looking out every two seconds. "I can't believe it's still pouring down rain."

Eric walked in. "I just tried her cell phone. She's not picking up."

Annie's face drew into panic. "My baby!"

T Bone laughed a little. "Come on, people. It's Ruthie. She's too tough to let anything happen to her."

Martin shot him a look. "Do you even know Ruthie at all?"

T Bone stood up defiantly. "I know Ruthie enough to not break her heart!"

"Boys, this is not the time for a fight." Kevin said. "I think I'll call the precinct." He started out the door when the doorbell rang.

Everyone looked at each other nervously. Eric headed over to open the door. His eyes widen and heart quickened when he saw Chief Michaels on the other side of the door.

"I'm sorry to have to tell you this Eric but Ruthie was found in a car that ran off the side of the road. She's in the hospital now. She in a coma."

Next time on Far Away: Will Ruthie wake up? Will Martin ever get to share his surprise with her? Will Annie ever come around?